USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 29
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On the 17th of January, 1884, Mr. Gonder was united in marriage to Miss Etta Carter, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (McNaught) Carter, who were natives of Illinois, the father following farming in McLean county all of his life. He passed away in June, 1876, at the age of thirty-five years and is sur- vived by his wife, who is living in Lexington, Illinois, at the age of sixty-
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seven. Mrs. Gonder was born in McLean county, Illinois, in December, 1865, and by her marriage she has become the mother of seven children: Mabel, the wife of O. B. Lofstedt, a resident of Grand Junction ; Myrtle, the wife of M. J. Rinker, a farmer of Beaver township; Lennie, the wife of Harry Clark, a resi- dent farmer of Amaqua township; and Mary, Henrietta, Daniel R. and Velda, all at home.
Mr. Gonder gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for two terms served as trustee of Beaver township. He has also been constable of the township for twenty years, and he discharges his official duties with promptness and fidelity. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Yeomen. His long residence in this section of the state has made him widely known, and his substantial qualities have gained him high and enduring regard.
WILLIAM E. VAN METER.
William E. Van Meter, who is successfully engaged in the real-estate business in Ogden, where he opened his office in 1913. was born in Illinois on the 31st of August, 1879, a son of John and Eliza ( Saunders) Van Meter, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Illinois. In early life John Van Meter removed westward to Illinois, where he resided until 1881, when he brought his family to Boone county, where he secured a tract of land and carried on farming for six years. On the expiration of that period he established his home in Ogden and was engaged in teaming until the year 1894 when he went into the ice busi- ness so continuing for eight years, his son William E. being his partner during the last four years of that period or from 1898 to 1902. He still makes his home in Ogden but is now retired from active business, enjoying a well earned rest and the fruits of his former toil.
William E. Van Meter was a little lad of but two years when brought by his parents to Boone county, where he has since made his home. His education was acquired in the schools of Ogden and he engaged in teaming until he joined his father in the ice business. He was admitted to a partnership and the relation between them was maintained until 1902. In that year William E. Van Meter removed to Fraser, where he engaged in the dray and sand business, shipping sand extensively. There he made his home until 1908, when he purchased a farm near l'ilot Mound, which he operated for two years. On selling out he pur- chased a merry-go-round and operated it upon the road until September, 1913, when he returned to Ogden and purchased a nice home. Here he has since engaged in the real-estate business in partnership with E. L. Merriam. They now have a large clientage and are handling much important property. Mr. Van Meter has acquainted himself with property upon the market and is also thor- oughly informed concerning realty values. He is thus able to select for the purchaser what he desires and negotiate sales for those who wish to dispose of property. His business is growing along substantial lines.
On the 29th of May, 1901, Mr. Van Meter was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Baker, a daughter of Andrew and Maria J. (Brown) Baker, who were natives of Indiana. The father was a farmer and came to Boone county about
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1880. He had served his country as a soldier in the Civil war for four years, being a member of an Indiana regiment. After coming to Iowa he purchased a farm, which he cultivated until 1902. He then put aside the more active work of the fields and removed to Ogden, where he resided until 1906. He then went to Guymon, Oklahoma, where he passed away on the Ist of April, 1907, at the age of sixty-four years. His wife survived him until March 20, 1911, and was also sixty-four years of age at the time of her demise. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Meter have been born two children, Earl and Geneva, aged eleven and nine years respectively.
Mr. Van Meter was a member of the city council while at Pilot Mound. He has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and with the Odd Fellows, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. In his church and fraternal relations are indicated the rules which govern his conduct and guide him in all of his connections with his fellow- men. His life has been well spent and whatever success he has achieved is the result of his intelligently directed effort and energy, bringing him to a place among the representative men of Ogden.
JOHN R. HERRON.
The present populous city of Boone contained only two houses at the time of the arrival of the Herron family in Iowa. They became pioneer residents of Boone county, and it was upon the old family homestead in Des Moines town- ship that John R. Herron was born on the 19th of March, 1874. He is a son of Richard and Sabina (Payton) Herron, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Canada. The paternal grandfather, Richard Herron, Sr., was likewise born on the Emerald isle and after crossing the briny deep to the new world he settled in Canada, where he devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits. He wedded Mary Henneberry and they became the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter : Richard : Mary, who became the wife of T. McDermott, of Eagle Grove, Iowa ; Williani, of Missouri Valley, Iowa; and John, who has departed this life.
It was in 1847 that Richard Herron, Jr., became a resident of Stratford, Ontario, where he resided for eighteen years, or until 1865. He then married Sabina, a daughter of Patrick Payton, who was born in Ireland, but in the '30s established his home in Canada, where his remaining days were passed. While residing in Canada Mr. Herron followed farming, but in 1865 left that country for Iowa. After spending two months in Cedar Rapids, he removed to Boone. at which time the railroad extended only to Nevada. The family remained in the little hamlet until 1869 and then took up their abode upon a farm in Des Moines township, three and a half miles southeast of the city. There they remained until the spring of 1886, when they left the farm and returned to Boone, where Mr. Herron is now living retired. His wife passed away in January, 1907. They had but two children and the elder, Mary, died in infancy.
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The son, John R. Herron, whose name introduces this record, was a pupil in the country and city schools until sixteen years of age, when he began learning the printing business in the office of The Boone County Democrat. He has been continuously connected with this paper since the Ist of January, 1899, when he purchased a half interest in the business, his partner being M. Miller, who sold out a year and a half later. For a year Mr. Herron was associated in the ownership and publication of the Democrat with J. B. Barnett, who disposed of his interest to W. F. Menton, and in 1903 the latter sold out to his brother, John F. Menton, who is now Mr. Herron's partner. The paper is published under the incorpora- tion of the Democrat Publishing Company, and a progressive policy marks the Democrat, making it a very readable, entertaining and instructive paper.
On the 20th of October, 1903, Mr. Herron was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jordan, a native of Boone county, and they have become parents of five children : Emmet, Edward, Vincent, Margaret and Francis. In politics Mr. Herron is a democrat and has filled the office of chairman of the country central committee. He is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Knights of Columbus, the Yeomen and the Mystic Workers, and he is also a communicant of the Catholic church. He is both widely and favorably known in this county, where his entire life has been passed and where he has ever been an interested witness of the events that shape its progress and promote its wel- fare.
HARVEY H. RINKER.
Harvey H. Rinker has improved two excellent farms in Boone county and is now the owner of two hundred acres of rich, arable and productive land on sec- tions 16 and 19, Beaver township. This is the visible evidence of a life of well directed energy and thrift. He had no assistance from his parents and whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own labors. The measure of his industry has been the measure of his prosperity, and the former is indi- cated in the fact that he is accounted one of the substantial agriculturists of his community. He was born in Virginia, August 1, 1866, a son of John and Sarah ( Hoover) Rinker, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed to Illinois with his family and there engaged in farming, being identified with agricultural interests in that state until 1895, when he came to Iowa, settling in Boone county. In connection with his son he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land on section 16, Beaver township, and to its further development and improvement devoted his remain- ing days. He enlisted for service with the Confederates and was at the front throughout the Civil war. Honest in his opinions and firm in his convictions, he did not deviate from a course which he believed to be right. He died February 3, 1910, at the age of sixty-nine years and is survived by his widow, who is living upon the old home place at the age of seventy-two years.
Harvey H. Rinker spent his youthful days under the parental roof, with the usual advantages of a public-school education and good home training. On attaining his majority he began farming on his own account, and his practical
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experience in assisting his father now proved of much value to him. He rented land in McLean county, Illinois, which he cultivated for three years, and then came to Boone county, arriving three years before his parents. He purchased what became known as the Rinker farm, owned jointly by himself and father, and operated this land on section 16, Beaver township, for eighteen years. He then rented the place to his brother and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising eighty acres of land on section 19, Beaver township. He has im- proved this place wonderfully as well as his other farm and now owns two hundred acres of splendidly improved land. He had no financial assistance from his parents but started out in the business world on his own account empty- handed and gradually worked his way upward. He has ever been watchful of the details pointing to success, has worked earnestly and persistently, and his methods have been of a most practical character. He has studied the question of crop rotation and understands the best time for planting and the best methods of enriching the soil. He has thus been able to gather good harvests and is now one of the substantial farmers of the community. In addition to tilling his fields he is engaged extensively in stock-raising, feeding two carloads of cattle, one car- load of sheep and one carload of hogs each year. He is also a stockholder in the Beaver Cooperative Company of Beaver.
On the JIth of February. 1892, Mr. Rinker was united in marriage to Miss Anna L. Rogers, a daughter of Lucius and Eunice (Freeman) Rogers, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of Illinois. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted from Illinois with the boys in blue, with whom he served until the close of hostilities. After the war he began farming and con- tinued the cultivation of a tract of land in Illinois until 1892, when he came to Iowa, settling in Guthrie county. There he carried on general agricultural pur- suits throughout the remainder of his days, owning four hundred and sixty acres of land. He died in September, 1913, while his wife is now living in Jefferson, Iowa.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rinker have been born four children, Emmet, Perry, Eunice and Catherine. The family attend the Baptist church, of which both Mr. and Mrs. Rinker are members. In his political views Mr. Rinker is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He is never remiss in the duties of citizenship and aids in advancing many public interests that have proven of worth to township and county.
CLARENCE R. ANDERSON.
Clarence R. Anderson is a member of the mercantile firm of Anderson Broth- ers at Ogden. They follow progressive methods, are energetic and in their close application, keen business sagacity and unfaltering industry is found the secret of their growing success. Clarence R. Anderson was born in Ogden on the 5th of August, 1891, and is, therefore, yet a young man, but the position to which he has attained is one which would be creditable to a man of twice his years. His parents, Charles and Sarah (Carlson) Anderson, were natives of Sweden. Crossing the Atlantic to the new world, Charles Anderson established his home
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in Illinois in the '6os, but after remaining there for a brief period came to Boone county, where he purchased a tract of land and improved a good farm in Marcy township. He continued its cultivation year after year with gratifying success in the production of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. His methods were at once practical and progressive and resulted in good crops, for which he found a ready sale. He was thus engaged until 1904, when he retired and removed to Ogden, where he spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned and well merited rest. His death occurred September 17, 1912, while his wife sur- vived him only until the 26th of February, 1913.
Clarence R. Anderson, reared in Ogden, pursued his education in its public schools and when his text-books were put aside he secured a clerkship in a gen- eral store, owned by his brother. In the summer of 1913, they erected a modern two-story business block and are now engaged successfully in general merchandis- ing under the firm style of Anderson Brothers. They carry a large and carefully selected line of goods, and their stock is attractive both in quality and price. They make earnest effort to please their patrons, are prompt, faithful and at all times thoroughly reliable and honorable in their dealing. Clarence R. Anderson is also a stockholder in the Ogden State Bank and is recognized as one of the rising young business men of the city. His political views accord with the prin- ciples of the progressive party, and he is not afraid to announce his opinions, yet is never bitterly aggressive. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Swedish Mission. Well known in Boone, he has many sterling traits of character, that have gained for him high personal regard.
B. ARIE.
B. Arie, agent at Boone for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association of St. Louis, and prominently associated with the building industry in this city, was born in Brody, Austria-Hungary, in 1847. His educational opportunities were those afforded by the common schools of his native land, and in 1876 he entered the Roumanian army, his country being allied with the Russians at that period. He participated in the Russian and Roumanian wars of 1877-8, and dur- ing that period he lost the sight of his left eye.
Hoping to find better business opportunities in the new world than he believed he could secure in the old, Mr. Arie came to the United States in 1881, land- ing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained for a short time. He then went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he engaged in the bottling business, but he did not meet with the profit that he had anticipated in that connection, and he left Omaha in 1882, removing to Boone, where he established bottling works. He continued in the business here until 1894, and from that time to the pres- ent he has been connected with the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association of St. Louis as its agent and representative in Boone. This does not cover the extent of his business activity, however, for he has been largely associated with the building industry at Boone, where he has erected many fine structures that are a monument to his spirit of enterprise and are a credit to the city. These include the Opera House block and the Arie building. He was the builder of the
B. ARIE
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Arie Hotel at Madrid, Iowa, and he has also been the builder of three build- ings which he has given to his three grandchildren-Ruth, Janette and Ethel- and these three buildings are named the Virginia, the Ethel and the Helen.
Mr. Arie was united in marriage to Miss Eva Abrams, and they became the parents of three children, but two have passed away, the other being O. B .. who is now engaged in the real-estate business in Boone. Mr. Arie has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and, working his way steadily upward, has reached a position among the most substantial business men of Boone. Not all days in his career have been equally bright. At times he has seen the clouds of business disaster gathering, but even then he has not lost heart and courage. He has ever recognized the fact that industry wins, and his intelligently directed effort has at length won reward in the attainment of a handsome competence.
HON. JOHN S. CROOKS.
Hon. John S. Crooks is serving for the second term as mayor of Boone. His life record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in the city of his birth John S. Crooks has attained a position as a foremost citizen and has wielded a wide influence in public affairs. He was born May 29, 1865, and is a son of George W. and Rebecca (Nutt) Crooks, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. Reared under the parental roof, he passed through consecutive grades in the public schools and became a high-school pupil. His initial step in the business world was made in connection with railroad work, to which he devoted a year. He afterward spent ten years in the abstract business and for fifteen years was secretary of a loan company, at the end of which time he closed out his interests in that connection. Later he engaged in the real-estate and insur- ance business, and at the present writing he is concentrating his efforts largely upon his official duties, for his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, elected him to the office of mayor in March, 1911, and he served so credit- ably during his first term of two years that he was reelected in March, 1913. and is now the incumbent in the position. He has made an excellent record, characterized by many needed reforms and improvements, and his course has been thoroughly public-spirited at all times.
Mr. Crooks was united in marriage to Miss Luella M. Parks, a native of Boone county, and unto them have been born a son and daughter : George W., now a resident farmer of Boone county; and Mildred, who is attending the State Col- lege. Mr. Crooks votes with the democratic party and has indorsed its prin- ciples since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is popular in several fraternal organizations, having membership with the Masons, the Elks and the Royal Arcanum. His religious belief is that of the Methodist church, and these connections indicate the rules which govern his conduct and guide him in all of his relations with his fellowmen. The name of Crooks has been an honored one in Boone county since his uncle John M. Crooks became one of the early settlers of the county in 1846. In all the intervening years to the present Vol. II-15
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representatives of the name have sought the improvement and upbuilding of this section, and the work begun by his grandfather and carried on by his father is now being continued by John S. Crooks, whose record as mayor is, indeed, creditable.
ISAAC STOVER.
Isaac Stover, who now lives retired in Madrid after a long and successful business career which not only brought him prosperity but had its effect upon the development of his county, belongs to one of the oldest families of his locality. Moreover, there is great credit due him for the gallant service which he rendered his country in the Civil war. He was born near Alamo, Montgomery county, Indiana, September 19, 1842, and is a son of Joseph and Lydia ( Rinker ) Stover, natives of Tennessee. The father was born in 1806 and died in Madrid, Iowa, August 14, 1884, while the mother's death occurred in Dallas county, Iowa, in February, 1880. The family removed to Dallas county, locating on a farm, where they remained until 1856, when they came to Madrid. Joseph Stover was one of the pioneer sawmill men of Boone county establishing an enterprise of that kind in 1856. He and his wife had eleven children, of whom six are living. The family comprised in all: William, deceased; Mrs. Melinda Wheeler, who also has passed away ; Samuel, deceased; Mrs. Lucinda Rutherford, deceased ; Mrs. Mary Wood, a resident of Nebraska; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Isaac; George W., residing in Idaho ; Henderson, who makes his home in Washington ; Joseph M., residing in Dallas county, Iowa ; and Mrs. Sarah Hoop, a resident of Douglas township. All were born in Indiana.
Isaac Stover enlisted for service in the Union army from Swede's Point when about nineteen years of age, on the Ist of August, 1861, joining Company D. Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His first term of enlistment ended January I, 1864, but he reenlisted and served until August 15, 1865, when he returned to his private affairs in Madrid, engaging in the sawmill business. Mr. Stover has to his credit a most honorable military record which entitles him to distinction. He participated in numerous engagements, including that at Island No. 10, New Madrid, Pittsburg Landing and the two sieges of Corinth. He was withi Grant in the Western Army and at Jackson, Champion's Hill and the siege of Vicksburg. He was one of the heroes of Sherman's celebrated march to the sea, being a participant thereof during the entire trip. At the close of the war he was among that proud throng which constituted the Grand Review.
Besides his milling interests, Mr. Stover was active in agricultural operations in Cass township, where he still owns one hundred and twenty acres on section 27, which is highly improved and bear rich harvests. He has always followed the most modern methods and deserves credit as a leader in the farm develop- ment of lowa. Because of his incessant labors, his business ability and his thrift, he has become one of the substantial men of his locality. He now lives retired in Madrid, passing the evening of life amid comfortable surroundings.
On the 8th of October, 1865, the marriage of Isaac Stover and Mary M. Mess- more was celebrated. She was born in Washington county, Iowa, August 17,
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1847, and in 1848 was brought by her parents, Adam and Sarah J. (Williams) Messmore, to Boone county, of which the family has ever since been residents. The father and mother were among the pioneers here and the former operated one of the first flour mills along the Boone river. He was born in Pennsylvania, August 17, 1820, and died in Moingona, Iowa, January 24. 1881. For three months he served in the Union army. His wife was born in Indiana, March 9, 1820, and died in Boone, June 11, 1901. In their family were the following chil- dren : Mrs. Stover ; Mrs. Kate Capron, of Des Moines ; Henry, deceased ; Hiram, a resident of Geneva, Nebraska: Mrs. Elizabeth Grosvenor, deceased : Frank, of Council Bluffs, Iowa : Mrs. Ada Steward, of South Dakota; Edward; Mrs. May Boswell, of South Dakota ; Mrs. Susie Kairns ; Ellsworth ; and John. These chil- dren were born in Hamilton, Webster and Boone counties and all reared in this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Stover became the parents of the following : Clarence J., born October 24, 1866, who died September 20, 1868; Edward A., born March 9, 1869, now a resident of Tingley, Iowa; Albert R., whose birth occurred August 13, 1872, and who resides in Manzanola, Colorado: Lillian, who was born February 15, 1874. and died February 3, 1881 ; Rev. John A., born October 16, 1876; and Mrs. Lois E. Shaw, born February 14, 1882, a resident of Madrid. All the chil- dren were born in Boone county. Rev. John A. Stover was the first graduate of the Madrid high school and at present is a minister of the Christian church at Frankfort, Indiana.
Isaac Stover is a democrat and has always taken a vital interest in local affairs. He served as township clerk and assessor in Cass township and also held various school offices, recognizing fully the value of improved methods of education. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church of Madrid. He is a member of Star Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M., of Madrid, and has held all the offices in the local organization. He is deeply interested in Masonic work and practices the principles of the brotherhood in his everyday life. He is acknowl- edged to be one of the best posted Masons in the community. He is also a mem- ber of J. Filmer Post. No. 347. G. A. R., where he meets his comrades of old and keeps awake in him the spirit which prompted him once to stand up in defense of the flag against the aggression of the South. Mr. Stover would make an ideal citizen of any community, for he always places the public welfare above private gain. He is admired and respected for what he has achieved and for what he is. His patriotism and his noble and manly qualities of character have been the key to that position which he now holds in the affection of all who know him.
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